Synthesis of new N-arylpyrimidin-2-amine derivatives using a palladium catalyst

New N-aryl-4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine derivatives were synthesized from the corresponding amines, applying optimized Buchwald-Hartwig amination conditions using dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)Pd(II), xantphos and sodium tertbutoxide in refluxing toluene under a nitrogen atmosphere. The target N-aryl derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields ranging from 27% to 82%. The procedure described could be widely employed for the preparation of new heterocyclic compounds. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by FT-NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis.